More concerned about teeth than constituents: Gale Brewer faces backlash over demanding dental care for migrants
Upper West Side councilwoman Gale Brewer is facing backlash after calling for free dental care for migrants, after she revealed already have paid up to $10,000 out of her own pocket to cover their dental expenses.
The 73-year-old Democrat made the plea during a budget hearing with the NYC Health Department on May 23, where she criticised the lack of attention to migrants' full health needs.
'Is someone paying attention to all of their health needs?' she demanded. 'They have a lot of health needs. Forget the dental! I'm already out $8,000–$10,000 on the dental. So who is paying attention to them?'
Brewer, who earns $148,500 as a council member, later told The New Post that she has been covering the cost of procedures such as root canals and cavity fillings for several migrants, especially young people she supports personally.
'I've been doing this kind of stuff for years, especially helping younger people,' said Brewer, who, along with her late husband Cal Snyder, fostered 35 children. 'This is nothing new for me.'
She also pressed acting health commissioner Dr Michelle Morse to improve awareness among migrants about the city's existing free healthcare options. Brewer said many asylum seekers, particularly young delivery workers, are enrolled in city-funded health insurance schemes like NYC Care but have no idea how to use them.
'And I assume you can't do dental, because you can't get dental for Americans — let alone for anybody else. They all have dental issues.'
Brewer added, 'I happen to know a lot of asylum seekers and support them.'
'These are young guys. They're pretty lost' she said, referring to what benefits the immigrants qualify for.
However, her remarks have sparked criticism from some in her own district. Longtime Upper West Side activist Maria Danzilo accused Brewer of ignoring her constituents.
'This is another example of misplaced priorities from Gale Brewer,' Danzilo said.
'It's unfortunate that Gale feels migrants' dental problems are more important than the needs of her own constituents. What is she doing about the healthcare needs of her community? Plenty of New Yorkers also lack medical coverage.'
Morse responded by promising that the Health Department would work with city hospitals to improve outreach efforts about available healthcare services under NYC Care.
City law already requires all hospitals to treat emergency patients regardless of their immigration status or ability to pay. Migrants seeking asylum are eligible for Medicaid, while minors, seniors, and pregnant women can access free healthcare regardless of immigration status.
The health department declined to say whether Brewer could have referred migrants to more affordable city options rather than paying out of pocket.
This isn't the first time Brewer has made headlines during budget hearings. In March, she told correction officials that the food served at Rikers Island made her sick — and suggested the city should serve inmates 'farm-to-table' meals like those at high-end Manhattan restaurants.
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